All over the world, people live, work and play in the territory of poisonous snakes every day. Venomous snakes are found on every continent apart from Antarctica and are responsible for 2.5 million venomous snake bites, leading to up to 125,000 deaths each year. While most bites are not fatal with the help of medical treatment and antivenom, most bites can also be prevented. Aside from avoiding them, the most effective way to prevent snakebites is to wear snake-protective clothing, such as boots, leggings, chaps, and gloves.

Unfortunately, the parts of the world with the highest number of snake bites and deaths are also parts of the world where poverty is very prevalent and antivenoms are very limited. To make matters worse, the average person can’t even imagine spending money on snake-proof clothing since food and water are more important. The countries that have the highest number of snake bites and deaths are those in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and most notably, India.

In the United States, every state, plus Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii, is home to at least one of the 20 venomous snakes that are native to North America. That puts many people in contact with poisonous snakes every day. North Carolina is the state that experiences the most bites with 19 of 100,000 people bitten per year. Although the national average is much lower, 4 per 100,000 people, the risk is still there and needs to be addressed. As stated above, the best defense against snake bites is to avoid the areas they call home. However, this is difficult when the places where you live, work and play are the same areas where snakes do the same thing. For these situations there is snake protective clothing that has been responsible for preventing countless painful, if not fatal, snake bites.

Here is a list of the different types of snake protective clothing and the ways it prevents bites:

snake boots

Perhaps the common method of protection against snakes is through the use of snake boots. Most snake boots that are designed to be self-contained in snakebite prevention are more than twice the height of regular boots. The common length is between 16 and 18 inches, which is beyond the most common hitting height when it comes to the lower extremities. Most boots will resist the penetration of snake bites without any special fabric, but many of the higher-end products claim to use puncture-proof materials. Although snake boots are substantially taller than standard boots, the difference in comfort is almost unnoticeable unless temperatures are high. However, even when it is noticeable, the peace of mind that snake boots give a person is worth any inconvenience he may experience.

snake leggings

A close second in snake bite prevention is snake leggings. These are basically leggings that are designed to stop the penetration of the fangs. There are many different brands and most of them are effective on snake boot-like heights of about 16 to 18 inches. Snake leggings differ from manufacturer to manufacturer with cheaper examples made from hard plastic and PVC and more expensive ones made from high quality puncture proof fabrics. Obviously, the more expensive fabric models are more comfortable, but they will cost a person twice as much. The main consideration when purchasing snake leggings is that they are something you will wear. Most of the less expensive models are much less comfortable, hotter, and sweatier than the more expensive models. If you buy the cheap pair but don’t wear them, then they won’t do you much good.

snake chaps

Designed to protect more than just the lower half of the leg, snake chaps, also known as snake leggings, are usually attached to a belt or loop and run the full length of the leg to the boot. Snake chaps are good for areas that are home to the larger species of venomous snakes, such as diamondback rattlesnakes and cobras, as their reach can easily exceed a person’s knee. Again, just like leggings, there are more expensive and less expensive snake brands. One thing that is common among the lower priced models is that many only offer protection against snakes up to the knee and not above. This is even the case for some expensive models, so it’s important to find out this information before you buy. Protection below the knee is no better than less restrictive and less expensive snake gaiters.

snake gloves

When most people think of snake bites, they think of stepping on a snake and being bitten. What many don’t realize is that many snakebites occur on people’s fingers and hands. This is why snake gloves are also an important part of snake bite prevention. Most hand bites occur when doing activities such as gardening, picking up brush, or reaching into places where snakes might be hiding. As you probably already know, snakes blend in very well with their surroundings and unless they hiss or rattle, most will never be seen.

Conclusion: